A proposal for Louisiana to tap into the federal health overhaul money available for expanding Medicaid has won approval from the state Senate's health committee, despite opposition from Gov. Bobby Jindal.

The House Health and Welfare Committee already rejected a bill that would have expanded Louisiana's Medicaid program as allowed under the federal Affordable Care Act.

On Wednesday, the committee was considering a modified proposal that would use the federal Medicaid expansion dollars to pay for private coverage for the uninsured, similar to a plan that Arkansas is negotiating with the federal government.

Gov. Bobby Jindal's administration opposes both ideas, saying even the private insurance model is unworkable because of federal restrictions governing the Medicaid funding.

Supporters of the bill by Democratic Rep. Patricia Smith say Louisiana should pursue negotiations with the federal government to offer more insurance coverage.